Ryan Anderson, a sommelier at The Pool — which partially replaced the legendary Four Seasons restaurant after it closed in 2016 — told INSIDER that reading "Kitchen Confidential" as a teenager working at a restaurant in Washington, DC, changed his life. It inspired him to quit his plans for journalism school and instead move to New York to work in the food industry.

"As soon as I read that book, and was also in a kitchen at the same time, I moved to New York," he said. "I started cooking here and I never looked back. It was one of the more positive experiences in my life."

He laid a baguette with a dab of butter at the doors of Brasserie Les Halles — alongside a chef's hat, a can of beer, and a wrapped bottle of wine — in tribute.

"I think that Anthony Bourdain always said that his last meal would be just a good piece of bread and some butter," Anderson said.

Ryan Anderson left a baguette for Anthony Bourdain. Jacob Shamsian/INSIDER

Other wrote cards addressed to Bourdain and taped them to the restaurant's doors and windows. Mourners wrote about Bourdain's passion for other cultures, expressed through his love for food and travel, with projects like his CNN show "Parts Unknown."

Here are some of their messages.

"Thank you for what you gave to this world," one person wrote. "You have changed our lives forever."

Some fans wrote cards and left photos. Jacob Shamsian/INSIDER They talked about how Bourdain's show brought families together. Jacob Shamsian/INSIDER

"Rest in power, Anthony Michael Bourdain, and know that you are my hero."

People had deep, complicated feelings about Bourdain. Jacob Shamsian/INSIDER

"Though I've known you from a distance for a decade, you've left an impression on me and many more," wrote another.

He was outspoken about sexual assault in the restaurant industry. Jacob Shamsian/INSIDER

"Thank you for sharing your beautiful gift of storytelling with the world."

Fans left flowers as well. Jacob Shamsian/INSIDER

"Legends never die."

He inspired many. Jacob Shamsian/INSIDER

"You brought people together."

He took a lens to parts of the world that many Americans don't understand. Jacob Shamsian/INSIDER

"You are loved and will be missed."

Fans reminded people of the suicide prevention support system. Jacob Shamsian/INSIDER

One person laid down a pack of Marlboros.

"Down to the filter and beyond," they wrote.

Early in his career, Bourdain cultivated a cigarette-smoking bad-boy persona. Jacob Shamsian/INSIDER

In New York City's financial district mourners gathered as well. The final location of Les Halles, which closed in 2017, was on 15 John Street.

There, mourners wove flowers into the metal grille.

Fans also traveled to Bourdain's final New York City restaurant, on John Street. Jacob Shamsian/INSIDER

Some laid flowers and rice pudding by the door.

They took a moment to remember him. Jacob Shamsian/INSIDER

And they left flowers and food. Jacob Shamsian/INSIDER

Anderson said Bourdain's TV shows pushed people like him to have a greater appreciation for world cultures and how food shapes the relationships between people and countries.

"Those shows just inspired an entire generation of people to just get out there and travel and really become a little more culturally affluent with food," he said. "It just got people out and got people to travel. It got me to travel, certainly. And it's just going to be a show that's sorely missed."

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If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or has had thoughts of harming themselves or taking their own life, get help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) provides 24/7, free, confidential support for people in distress, as well as best practices for professionals and resources to aid in prevention and crisis situations.